Child Passenger Safety Week: Protecting Our Youngest Passengers

Why Proper Car Seat Use Matters

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

• Car crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13.

• Properly installed car seats can reduce the risk of fatal injury in a crash by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers.

• Yet nearly half of all car seats are installed incorrectly.

Taking a few extra minutes to check your child’s car seat could save a life.

Car Seat Basics

• Rear-Facing Seats: Best for infants and toddlers. Keep your child rear-facing until they reach the seat’s maximum height or weight limit.

• Forward-Facing Seats: Once children outgrow their rear-facing seat, move them to a forward-facing seat with a harness.

• Booster Seats: Children who outgrow a forward-facing seat should use a booster until a seat belt fits them properly.

• Seat Belts: Your child is ready to use a seat belt without a booster when it fits snugly across the upper thighs (not the stomach) and across the shoulder (not the neck or face).

Here’s what North Carolina law says (NC General Statute § 20-137.1):

• Children under age 8 AND under 80 pounds must be secured in a car seat or booster seat.

• Children under age 5 AND under 40 pounds must ride in the back seat (if the vehicle has one and if it’s equipped with a passenger-side airbag that’s active).

• Once a child reaches age 8 or 80 pounds, they may legally use a seat belt alone—though safety experts recommend using a booster until the belt fits properly across the shoulder and hips.

Read Laws & Best Practices and more from www.buckleupnc.org here.

Get Expert Help from SFD

The Statesville Fire Department proudly participates in child passenger safety education. Our trained firefighters can assist with:

• Demonstrating how to properly install car seats and booster seats.

• Ensuring your child’s seat is the right fit for their age and size.

• Answering questions about North Carolina’s car seat laws and best practices.

If you’d like help checking your child’s car seat, you can schedule an appointment with the Statesville Fire Department by completing the contact form here.

Working Together for Safety

Child Passenger Safety Week is a reminder that protecting our youngest passengers takes teamwork - between parents, caregivers, and your local fire department. By making sure your child is properly secured every ride, every time, you’re taking the most important step toward keeping them safe.

Let’s work together to make Statesville’s roads safer for our children.

For more information about fire and life safety resources, visit: www.statesvillenc.net/fire-department